Clothes wringer



Aug. 10, 1943 s. E. SCHRO-EDER CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 13, 1955 l3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 10, 1943- s; ESCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 13, 1935 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 10, 1943. 's. E. SCHROEDER' ULOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 13, 1955 1943' I s. E. SCHROEDER I 2,326,259

CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 15, 1935 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 10, 1943.

S. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER- Filed Dec. 13, 1935 l3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 10, 1943. s. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES. WRINGER V Filed Dec. 13, 1955 13 SheefisSheet e Aug. 16, 1943. s. E. SCHROEDiER CLOTHES WRINGER l3 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 13, 1935 Aug. '10, 194-3.

5. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 15, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Aug. 10, 1943. s. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 1.5, 1955 Aug. 10, 1943- s. EQscK-IRQEDE CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 15, 1935 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 Aug. 10, 1943- s. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec.- 13, 1935 13 Sheets-Sheet ll- Aug. 10, 1943. s. E. SCHROEDER CLOTHES WRINGER Filed Dec. 15, 1935 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Patented Aug. 10, 1943 2,326,259 CLOTHES WRINGER Simon E. Schroeder, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Barlow & Seelig Mfg. Co., poration of Delaware Ripon, Wis., a cor- Application December 13, 1935, Serial No. 54,282

35 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in wringers especially adapted for use in connection with washing machines.

One object of the invention is to provide a.

wringer comprising cooperating pressure rolls, wherein the rolls may be quickly released by separation of the same when desired, or in case of emergency, with a minimum amount of effort on the part of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a wringer, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, means for automatically stopping rotation of the rolls upon release thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to' provide means for automatically effecting release of the rolls of a wringer of the type indicated when the article which is being operated upon is accidentally wound about one of the rolls of the wringer or upon jamming of the rolls.

A more specific object of the invention is .to provide a wringer comprising cooperating rolls with one of the rolls mounted in a frame arranged to be swung to move the roll carried thereby away from the cooperating roll, to eifect release of the mechanism, wherein the swinging frame is efiectively locked in position with the rolls in operative relation by simple and reliable means, and the means for locking the same may be instantaneously released by the operator through readily accessible and conveniently located ac.- tuating means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a wringer of the type set forth means engaged and actuated by an article, which accidentally becomes wrapped about one of the rolls of the .wringer, for quickly releasing the locking means of the swinging frame so that the frame is free to be displaced to a position. to effect separation of the rolls.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a roll type of wringer, wherein one of the rolls is held against the other by spring pressure, means for effecting separation of the rolls to remove the pressure and for again effecting restoration of the rolls to operative relation without any change in the adjustment of the pressure means.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a wringer having cooperating-rolls and driving mechanism :for rotating the rolls in reverse directions, which driving mechanism may be disconnected to stop the operation of the rolls, an operating lever or handle movable in reverse directions for controlling the operation of said driving mechanism to effect rotation of said rolls in said reverse directions, and also movable -to a neutral position to disconnect the driving mechanism and stop rotation of the rolls, wherein release of the driving mechanism and restoration of the operating handle to neutral position is automatically effected through means controlled by the operator for producing release of the rolls from operative relation.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims liereinafter following. I

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Fig. 1 isa front elevational view of the improved Wringer, the housing thereof being shown partly broken away to disclose certain interior parts.

Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 2a is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating certain parts at the upper left-hand corner of Fig.

Fig. 2b is a view similar to Fig. 2a, showing certain parts at the upper right-hand corner of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical, sectional views corresponding respectively to the lines 44 and 5-5 of Fig. 2, positions.

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional ing to-the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, on a reillustrating the parts in difierent view correspondduced scale.

is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line llbl lb of Fig. 11a.

Fig. 12'is a detailed view of a certain locking plate shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 11a, and 11b.

Fig. 13 is a part horizontal sectional and part plan view corresponding substantially to the line I3-l3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 14, 15, and 16 are respectively enlarged broken views .of the mechanism at opposite ends and at the central portion of Fig. 13. 1

Fig. 17 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the mechanism at the right-hand end of Fig. 2 only and further illustrating the driving gear mechanism for the wringer in vertical section.

Fig. 18 is a horizontal, sectional View corre-- sponding substantially to the line I8-l8 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 20 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding to the line 20-29 of Fig. 18.

- housing. 48 -is contracted, as indicated at 52, to

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 20, but i1lus-- trating the partsin different position. Figs. 22 and 23 are vertical, sectional views corresponding respectively to the lines 22-22 and 23-23 of Fig. 19.

Fig. 24 is a detailed view of a certain latch plate shown in Figs. 17 to 23 inclusive.

Fig. 25 is a detailed, perspective view of the spring-pressed slide for restoring the controlling lever or handle to its neutral position. I Fig. 26 is a detailed View of a certain gear member operated by the controlling lever or handle for shifting the gear elements of the driving mechanism and for actuating the tilting drainboard. I

Fig. 27 is a detailed view of the pin or rod for actuating the mechanism for disconnecting the power from the bottom roll of the wringer and restoring the controlling handle or lever to its neutral position.

Figs. 28 and 29 are views similar to Fig. 11, but showing the swinging frame which carries the top roll, in two diiferent positions, said views being partly broken away.

form a seat for a purpose hereinafter pointed out; To the inner faces of the side walls 49-49 are secured castings 53-53, which have sleeve sections 54-54 formed at the upper ends thereof, the openings of which are in substantial 'alignment with the openings of the sleeves 41-47 of the castings of the arms 43-43 of the main or bottom frame A.

A gear housing C is secured to themain frame A, as shown at the right in Figs. 2 and 1'7, which contains the mechanism for driving the bottom roll of the wringer. The housing C is in the form of a casting and has a depending sleeve section 55 thereon, which fits over the usual upstanding driving shaft housing of the washing machine. At the inner end, the housing C is closed by a cast plate 55', which has a central bearing sleeve 51 formed integral therewith.

The top and bottom rolls of the wringer are indicated by 58 and 59 respectively and are of the usual type provided with surfaces. of rubber. The shaftof the bottom roll 59 is indicated by 66 and extends from opposite ends of said roll. The projecting shaft portions 66-60 are rotatably supported in bearing sleeves iii-6|. The shaft section 60 at the right-hand side of Figs. 2 and 4 1 projects beyond the correspondingbearing sleeve 6t and is connected with the driving mechanism, as hereinafter more fully pointed out.

At opposite ends, the top and bottom rolls 56 and 59 are provided with intermeshing gears Fig. 32 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 32-32 of Fig. 2.

In said drawings, A indicates the main or bottom frame, and B the swinging or top frame of my improved wringer. The main or bottom frame A includes a housing in the form of a heavy sheet metal stamping having spaced, vertical side walls 46-40, a transversely extending, central, troughlike section 4|, and front and rear, downwardly and outwardly inclined walls 42-42, which form continuations of the front and rear walls of the troughlike section 4! and serve as fixed drainboard members. At opposite sides, the frame A is provided with centrally disposed,'upstanding, supporting arms 43-43 by which the swinging frame is supported, as hereinafter more fully pointed out. The side wall members 40-49 to the front and rear of said arms 43-43 are raised with respect to the drainboard members 42-42, as clearly indicated at 44 and 44 in Figs. 1, 3, 6, '7, and 11. The side arm 43 at the right of Fig. 2 is lined with a casting 45, which is fixed to said arm in any well known manner. The side arm 43 at the left of Fig. 2 is also lined by a casting 46, which is secured to said arm. The castings 45 and 46 are provided with sleevelike sections 41-41 adjacent to their upper ends, which are interiorly threaded. The arms 43-43 are provided with openings in alignment with the openings of thesleeve sections 41-41.

Th swinging or top frame B includes a stamped heavy sheet metal housing 48 having spaced, Vertical side walls 49-49, and front and rear spaced walls 50-50 connected by a curved top wall section 5|. The central portion of the 62-62 and 52-62, which are fixed to the shafts of the rolls. Guard members 63-63 are provided at opposite ends of the rolls for properly guiding the material passed between the rolls and preventing the same from becoming engaged with the gears 52-62. Each guard member 63 is provided with a sleeve portion 64, which surrounds the bearing sleeve 6! at the corresponding side of the wringer and serves as supporting means for said bearing sleeve. The main portion of each guard member 63 embraces the corresponding gear 62 and a portion of the end section of the bottom roll 59 and has diverging arm portions 65-65 at the top thereof, which embrace the lower portion of the corresponding gear 62 of the top roll 58 and the'end portion of said roll. The sleeve-like sections 64-64 of the guard members 63-63 are supported in bearing seats of vertically movable castings 66-66 at opposite sides of the lower Or main frame A, which castings 66-66 areguided in ways 61-61 formed in depending extensions 68-68 of the castings 45 and 46 of the upstanding arms 43-43 of said main frame A.

' The roll 59 is held in normal-raised position by cam members 69-69 fixed to the transversely extending cam shaft 16, which has its opposite ends rotatably supported in bearing openings'of brackets H-H secured to the flat bottom wall portions 12-12 of the trough-like section 4| of the main frame A and the extensions 68-68 of the castings 45 and 46 by means of cap screws 13-13, or any other well known equivalent se-' 1935, now Patent No. 2,114,404, issued April 19,

1938. However it might be pointed out that the tension of the springs which yieldingly resist pward movement of the top roll 58. These prings are two in number and are indicated by 90-90. Each spring 90 cooperates with one of frame B. Each guideway 18 is formed by apair of spaced, vertical flanges 19-19 formed on the corresponding casting 53.

The swinging frame B is'pivotally supported on the upstanding arms 43-43 of the main frame A by trunnion members 80-80 fixed to said upstanding arms 43-43. The trunnion member 80 at the left of Fig. 2 is in the form of a headed screw secured within the threaded sleeve portion 41 of the casting 48 of the corresponding arm 43, the bearing portion of said trunnion member being of smaller diameter than the screw-threaded portion thereof and extending into the sleeve section 54 of the casting 53 at the corresponding side of the swinging frame B. The trunnion member 80 at the right of Fig. 2 is in the form of a cylindrical sleeve having a head at the outer end and a threaded section secured within the sleeve portion 41 of the casting 45 of the corresponding arm 43 of the main frame A. The journal portion proper of this trunnion 80 extends into the sleeve 54 0f the casting 53 at the corresponding side ,of the swinging frame B. The heads of the trunnion members 80-80 are A preferably of such a shape as to fit a wrench for manipulating the same.

The top roll 58 is carried within the swinging frame B by means which yieldingly forces this roll against the bottom roll 59, thereby permitting the roll 58 to lift upwardly to accommodate the article being passed between the rolls and yet maintain the proper pressure. The means for carrying the top roll 58, as most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 31, includes two pairs, of links 8l-8l and 8l-8l at opposite sides of the swinging frame B. The links 8l-8l of each pair are pivotally connected at their lower ends 'to the corresponding bearing block 11 for the top roll 58. The pairs of links 8l-8l and 8l-8l are connected to pivoted lever plate members 82-82 and 82-82 arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the mechanism. The lever plate members 82-82 of each pair are disposed at opposite sides of the sleevelike section 54 of the casting 53 at the corresponding side of the swinging frame B. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, each lever plate member 82 is of substantially triangular outline. members 82-82 of each pair of plates are pivotally supported at their upper ends by a pivot pin 83 mounted in upstanding side wall sections 84-84 on the corresponding sleeve section 54. The links 8l-81 of the corresponding pair are pivotally connected to the outer ends of the plate members 82-82, as indicated at 85-85. To the inner lower corners of each pair of lever plate members 82-82 are pivoted a pair of links 88-88 which serve to connect the lever plate members 82-82 with a follower 81, to which the opposite ends of these links are pivoted, as indicated at 88. The followers 81-81 are slidingly carried on a shaft '89, which extends into the bearing sleeve sections 54-54 of the castings 53-53 at the opposite sides of the frame B and, as hereinafter pointed out; is employed to adjust the the spring followers 81, saidspring surrounding the shaft 89 and being interposed between thecooperating follower 81 and adjustable abutment means associated with the bearing sleeve section 54 of the casting 53 at the corresponding side of the swinging frame B. Each adjustable abutment means comprises a sleeve 9| splined to the shaft 89 and in threaded engagement with interior threads of the sleeve section 54, a follower disc 92 which abuts the spring 90, and a ball bearing element 93 interposed between the follower disc 92 and the outer end of the adjusting sleeve 9|. The cooperating threads of the sleeve 9l' and the sleeve section 54 at one side of the mechanism are left-hand, while the cooperating threads of the sleeve 9| and the sleeve section 54 at the opposite side are right-hand. As will be understood, rotation of the shaft 89 will thus effect movement of the adjustable spring abutment means at opposite sides of the mechanism in reverse directions. Rotation of the shaft 89 is effected by means of a hand wheel 94 connected to said shaft. The parts are proportioned so that the spring followers 81-81 normally abut each other, thereby limiting the expansion of the springs 90-90 and also limiting the downward displacement of the top roll 58 through the The,

connecting links 88-88, 8l-8I, and the lever plate members 82-82. The limit of downward displacement of the roll 58 is such that it will have proper pressure contact with the roll 59 during the operation of the wringer. When an article is passed between the rolls 58 and 59, the roll 58 is forced upwardly against the resistance of the springs -90, the links 8l-8l and 8 [-8 I, which are pivotally connected to the bearing blocks 11-11, being raised, thereby rocking the lever plate members 82-82 and 82-82 on their pivots 83 and 83 and effecting outward movement of the links 88-88-and 88-88 and pulling the followers 81-81 outwardly against the springs 90-90, compressing the latter against the adjustable spring abutments of the sleeve sections 54-54 of the castings 53-53 at opposite sides of the frame B.

To hold the swinging frame B in operative position with the top roll 58 centered above the bottom roll 59, latch means is provided, which is automatically locked when the frameB is properly centered. This latch means may be unlocked or released when desired and is automatically released under certain conditions. This latch means for locking the swinging frame B, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2, 2a, 2b, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 17, comprises a pair of springpressed, sliding latch plates 95-95 mounted'in the frame B, engaging a pair of keepers 98-98 on the main frame A. The keepers 98-98 are in the form of stampings located at opposite sides of the frame A and are secured to the castings 45 and 48. As most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 17, 28, and 29, each keeper stamping 98 comprises a vertical platelike section provided with a laterally inwardly outstanding flange 91.

The flange 91 of each keeper is cut out at the clearly shown in Figs. 3, 9, 10, and 11, the flange 91 of each keeper is'inclined upwardlyand out- .wardly away from the notch or opening 98, being.

preferably upwardly curved, the curvature thereof being concentric with the axis of swinging the locking means is released, the plates 95-95 may be forced upwardly against the tension-of the springs I04-l04. Thus when the swinging jecting locking tongue 99 at the lower end, said tongue being rounded off, as shown. The upper corners of the plate are preferably cut away and said plate is centrally slotted at the upper end, thereby providing two upstanding, spaced arms lull-I00. The slot of the plate 95 is eniarged laterally, as indicatedat ml, to provide clearance for the corresponding trunnion 90, which extends therethrough. The lower wall of the slot forms a seat I02 for the cooperating spring.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 2, 3, 11, and

1'7, the latch plates 95-95 are slidingly mounted in vertical guideways HES-i915 in the castings 59-53 of the swinging frame B. The guideway H33 of each casting 53 is formed on the outer side thereof, which abuts the corresponding side wall 49 of the swinging frame B. The plate 95 is thus guided between said side wall and the op-' posed wall of the guideway. Each latch plate 95 is yieldingly pressed downwardly by a spring I09 seated at its upper end in a pocket I05 in the casting 53 and having its lower end bearing on the spring seat I 02 at the lower end of the slot in the plate 95. The narrow upper portion of the slot of each plate 95 is of substantially lesser width than the diameter of the corresponding trunnion member 80, thereby limiting the downward movement of the plate. In other words, the top wall portions of the enlarged section IOI of the slot engage the top of the cor-'- responding trunnion 80, thereby acting as limiting stops for the plate 95. The lower ends of the plates 95-95 extend through openings in castings IDS-I06 at opposite sides of the bottom portion of the frame B. The castings I06-l06, as most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 28, and 29, have inwardly offset, depending flanges I0'I-I0'I. Each casting I06 is secured to the bottom portion of the corresponding casting 53 of the frame B and spans the opening below the bearing block H for the roll 58. The depending flange I01 of each casting l06 has thelower edge thereof curved, as shown in Figs, 3, 9,. and 10. The curved flanges I0'I-l0'l engage between the arms 65-65 and 65-65 of the guard members 63-63 to swing the guard members on the bearing seats of the supporting castings 66-66 about the shaft 60 of the bottom roll 59 when the top frame B is swung to either side of centered position and also to center these guard members. words, the projecting curved flanges I0'I-I0I of the castings I06-I06 serve as centering In other in the ways I09-I09.

means for the latch plates is released, the frame B may be swung to either side of centered position but is held rigidly locked when the latch plates are locked against upward movement with the tongues 99-99 thereof seated in the openings 98-98 of the keepers. It is further pointed out that the rounded locking tongues 99-99 act to cam the latch plates 95-95 upwardly by engagement with the outer edges of the portions 58-68 of the castings 55 and 56 of the main frame A when the frame 33 is being swung back to centered position after havingbeen moved to either side with the tongue entirely'clear of the casting sections 68-58 of the main frame A. The plates 95-95 will thus be positioned so that the tongues 99-99 thereof will again register with the guide flanges 9l-9l of the keepers 96-95 to again be seated in the openings 99-98 of the keepers when the swinging frame 13 is brought to centered position. Inasmuch as the plates 95-95 are forced yieldingly downwardly by the springs Hid-I05, the tongues 99-99 of the plates will serve to accurately center the I I09-I09 in the castings 53-53, aid ways being defined by the spaced walls 84-84 of the sleeve 54 of each casting 53. As shown in Fig. 2, the bar I08 is arched near the opposite ends thereof, as indicated at H0-H0 to clear the pivot pins 83-83 of the levers 82-82. Upon referring to Figs. 13, 14, and 15, it will be seen that the bar I08 ha a tongue III at the left-hand end and is notched at opposite sides of the righthand end. as indicated atH2-H2. Bearing rollers H3-I I3 are provided at opposite sides of the swinging frame B, which engage the upper side of the bar I08 .to maintain the same seated A U-shaped frame H4 is fixed to the bar I08 between the ends thereof and cooperates with certain cam means, hereinafter described, to move the bar to unlocking or releasing position. The U-shaped frame H4 has depending side arms and a horizontal top connectins section, which is disposed above the bar I08. The frame H4 is fixed to the bar I08 by -means of screws, or any other well known securing elements, extending through the bar and into the top connecting section of the frame H4. A spring abutment plate H5 is fixed to the top of the frame I I4, a most clearly shown in Fig. 2. This plate is also held by the screws which secure the bar I08 to the frame H4. A coil spring H'6 urges the frame "I I4 and the bar I08 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. This spring is interposed between the upturned right-hand end of the plate H5 and a downwardly bent lug H! on the top wall of the swingingjrame B. Movement .HlofthebarHlB.

Two separate and independent actuating means and 13, the bar I08 is shown in the extreme left-hand position and locks the latch plates 95-95 against upward movement. In this posi- *tion,

the wide end portion at the right-hand end of the bar I 08, as viewed in Fig. 13.. and the wide portion of the bar immediately adjacent to the ton ue I at the left-hand end are disposed l-I00 of the plates directly above the arms 95-95 and engaged thereby. As will be evident, the latch plates 95-95 are thus held positively the cam plate I20.

against upward movement and securely lock the swinging frame B in centered position above the bottom roll 59 of the wringer. When the bar I08 is moved to the right against the resistance of the spring to bring the notches II2-I-I2 and the tongue III thereof in the path of vertical movement of the latch plates 95-95, the latch plates are unlocked and are free to be forced upwardly against the resistance of thesprings I0l-I04, clearance for the 'arms' I00-I00 and I00-l00 of the latch plates 95-95 being provided by the notches II -II2 and the tongue are provided for operating and locking the bar I08 to move the same to releasing or unlocking position, one of said means being carried by the swinging frame B and the other by the fixed main frame A.

The actuating means, which is carried by the swinging frame B, comprises a saddle member II9 of substantially U-shaped cross section, adapted to rock on the frame B, and a cam plate member I 20 actuated by said saddle member I I 9. Upon reference to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10,and 13,

'it will be seen that the saddle member II9 is saddle member H9 is supported on the top wall of the central portion 'of the frame B by a pair of rocking supports I2I-I2I having tongues I 22-I22 extending through openings I23-I23 in the top wall of the frame B. As shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, each support I2I has substantially flat bottom edge faces I24-I24 at opposite sides at the inner end of the tongue I22. These faces I29-I24 normally engage the upper wall of th frame B adjacent to the openings I 23-I23. .To yieldingly maintain the saddle member I I9 in normal centered position, as shown in Fig. 3, and to return the'same to said normal position, a coil spring I25 cooperating with each support I2I is interposed between the top wall of the frame B and a pin I26 extending through the lower end of the tongue 2 Of t e CQ I D ing support I2I. The saddle member II9 may be rocked to either side of the centered position shown in Fig. 3, against the resistance of the springs I25-I25, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and

Y will be returned through the actionof said springs cam the same to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2

and 13. The cam plate I20 has reversely inclined cam faces 'I28-I20 at opposite ends thereof,

which respectively engage with the correspond 7 ing edges of the side walls of the frame. Ill.

A plate I29, which extends lengthwise of the ame B, that is, parallel to the axis of the top roll 58 ofthe wringer, is fixed to the bottom of A single bolt I30 extending through the plate I29 and the two sections of the cam plate I20 serves to secure these parts together'. The plate I29 is provided with a depending, longitudinally extending rib ISI for a purpos hereinafter pointed out.

,The operation of the locking and releasing bar I08, as controlled by the rocking saddle member H9, is as follows: With the roll 58 centered above the roll 59 and the latch plates 95-95 I20in either direction and cammi'ng the frame bringing the bar this releasing action has been effected, the top frame B will be ingarticle and shift the H4, together with the bar I 08 which is fixed thereto, to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 13, I08 to releasing position. When automatically swung through the action of the interg'eared rotating rolls 58 and 59, thereby effecting separation of the rolls and release of the pressure between the same. In this connection, itispointed out that the top frame B may also be swung from its centered position by the operator during the operation of pushing on the side of the saddle I I9.

. The locking bar I08 is also released from looking engagement with the latch plates 95-95 by jamming of the wringer through an article accidentallybecoming wound about the top roll 58.

When an article is thus wound about the roll 58, the ribbed plate I29 will be engaged by said movcam plate I20 in the direction of rotation of the ing the frame H4 and the bar I08 to release the latch plates 95-95 in the manner hereinbefore described so that the -frame B may be swung from, its centered position. Resto'ration'of the locking bar I08 and frame III! to normal position is eflected by the spring IIG after each releasing action. By engagement of the frame I I4 with the cam faces of the plate I20, thelatter, together with the rocking saddle member 9,. is restored to normalposition. Inthis connection, it is further pointed out that the. centering springs I25-I25 for the saddlemember 9 are also active in effecting restoration of the saddle member H9 and cam plate I20 to normal position.

The means hereinbefore referred to, which is mounted 'on the frame A for actuating the looking bar I 08' to release the same, is most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 8, and comprises the rotary cam II8 hereinbefore referred to, a slide bar I32 actuated by a pair of levers I33-I89, and finger pieces or push buttons I34-I34 operating the levers I33-I33. The cam member II8, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, is in the form of" a disc having 'an outstanding cam flange I35 provided with an inclined face I36, most clearly shown in Fig. 8, which engages with the tongue III of the bar I08. The cam member H8 is roll 58, thereby shift rotatably journaled on a cylindrical bearing portion |31 provided on the casting 46 at the lefthand side of the main frame A. Rotary movement of the cam member I I8 is limited by means of a stop screw I38 fixed to the casting 46 and projecting through a slot I39 of the cam member H8. movement in a guideway I40 provided in the casting 46. As shown in Fig.6, sufiicient clearance is provided between the side walls of the guideway I46 and the sliding bar I32 to permit slight lateral rocking of said bar. The upper end portion of the sliding bar I32 is laterally offset and has its upper end pivotally connected to the cam member II8 by a pivot pin I4I. A spring I42 interposed between an outstanding abutment lug I43 on the casting 46 and a shoulder I44 at the offset portion of the 'bar I32 yieldingly opposes upward movement of said bar. At the bottom end, the sliding bar I32 is provided with a T-shaped head I45. The levers I33-I33 are pivoted on opposite sides of the casting 46 of the frame A, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Each lever I33 has an inwardly extending short arm I46, which engages beneath the head I45 of the sliding bar I32, and a long arm I41, which is slotted at the outer end, as indicated at I46. Each lever I33 is pivotally supported on a pin I49 fixed in said casting 46. The finger pieces or push buttons I34-I34 are mounted at the front and rear of The sliding bar I32 is guided for vertical sired by the operator.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the wringer rolls 58 and 59 are intergeared and rotate in unison, the bottom roll 59 being shown as connected to the power-actuated driving gearing of the wringer, The driving gearing is arranged and designed so that the roll 59 may be driven in either right-hand or left-hand direction, as de- V This driving gearing is further arranged and designed so that the power may be disconnected at will by the operator-or disconnected automatically when the rolls 58 and 59 are separated by swinging movement of the frame B to either side of the centered position. The driving gearing is contained in the housing C, which is fixed to the right-hand side of the frame A, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 1'7, 18, and 19. A sleevelike member I 53 is journaled in the hearing opening of the sleeve 51 of the plate 56, which as hereinbefore described forms the inner wall of the housing 0. The sleeve I53 is provided with a radially extending arm I54 having a short arc-shaped section I55 at the outer end. The arc-shaped section I55 has gear. teeth on the inner side thereof, which form a short rack member I56 cooperating with the operating handle lever I51, as hereinafter more, fully described.

. The sleeve I 53 is lined with a tubular brass or the frame A so as to be readily accessible to the operator from either side of the wringer. Each finger piece or push button I34 comprises a head member projecting through an opening I50 in the wall of the frame A and a flange. I5I at the inner end of the head member engaging with said wall of .the frame A to limit outward movement of the head member. Each finger piece I34 is also provided with a depending stem I52 having a pin I53 at, the lower end thereof working in the slot I48 of the corresponding lever.

The finger pieces I34-I34 may be independently operated, and downward pressure on either finger piece will cause the corresponding lever I33 to be swung on its pivot, thereby raising the slide bar I32 against the tension of the spring I42 and rotating the cam member II 8 in a contra-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6. R0- tation of the cam II8 forces the bar I66 to the right, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 13, by action of the cam face I36 on the tongue III of said bar, thereby unlocking the latch plates 95-95 and permitting the frame B to be swung to released position, as hereinbefore described. After either of .the finger pieces I34-I34 has been actuated, the spring I42, which cooperates with the slide bar I32, ffects return of the finger pieces to the normal position shown in Fig. 6. Return movement of the slide bar I32 also rotates the cam II8 back to its normal position. When the parts have been thus returned to normal position, the

cam portion of the cam member H8 is disposed so that the bar 106 may be ,returned'to locking position with respect to the latch plates 95-95 by the spring II6, as hereinbefore pointed out.

From the preceding description, it will be evident thatthe means for operating the releasing mechanism for the latch plates 95-95 and unlocking the swinging frame B is conveniently located so as to be readily accessible from either the front/or the rear of the wringer, one of the finger pieces I34 being located at the front and the other at the rear of the wringer, and the rocking saddle member I I9 being accessible from both the front and rear of the wringer,

other metallic anti-friction bushing I 58. In said bushing is'journaled the hub portion I59 of a gear member I66. The hub portion I59 is hollowed out to provide a socket, as shown most -clearly in Figs. 17, 18', and 19. The inner or ing relation. The other end of the coupling sleeve.

I62 is also of angular, internal cross section and is telescoped over the end portion of the shaft 60, which end portion is also of angular cross section so as to fit said sleeve in driving relation. The sleeve I62 forms a flexible connection be tween the'shaft 66 and the gear I60, thereby permitting the raising and lowering of the roll 59 with respect to the gear I60 and the frame A of the wringer.

The gear mechanism in the housing C is driven by the driving elements of an associated washing machine in the usual well known manner. In this connection, it is pointed out that the sleeve 55 of the housing C telescopes over the usual vertically arranged, hollow standard of a washing machine, which standard has a vertically disposed shaft therein operatively connected to and rotated by the driving elements of the washing machine in a well known manner. This shaft extends beyond the standard and into the gear housing of the associated wringer and is coupled to the gearing of the wringer by a splined or similar connection. The top portion of such a vertical shaft is indicated at I63 in Figs. 1'7 to 23 inclusive of the drawings. The shaft I63, as shown, is provided with a plurality of vertically extending, radial ribs I64-I64, A cylindrical sleevelike gear member" I65 is telescoped over the upper end portion of the shaft I63, the sleeve member I65 bing provided with internal vertical grooves, within which the ribs I64-I64 of the shaft I63 engage. The sleeve I65 is thus mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and vertical sliding movement thereon. At the upper and lower ends, the-sleeve member I 65 has beveled gear members I66and I61formed integral therewith. The section of the sleeve between the gear members I66 and I61 Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 23, said enlarged portion being provided with a plurality of a'nnular rack teeth I68 for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The sleeve member I65 is rotatablys upported in a cylindrical, vertical bearing opening I69 in a casting I fixed to the housing C and has vertical sliding movement in said opening. The beveled gear members I66 and I61 cooperate with the teeth of the gear I60 to drive the latterv in reverse directions.

Sliding movement of the gear member I65 on the shaft I63 is effected by a spur gear "I fixed to the inner end of a horizontally disposed, short shaft I12 rotatably mounted in a bearing opening I13 in the housing C. The shaft I12 has the operating handle or lever member I51, hereinbefore referred to, formed integral therewith. The spur gear I1I meshes with therack teeth I68 of the sleevelike gear member I65, the casting I10 being cut away, as indicated -at I14, most clearly shown in Figs. 18 and '19, to accommodate said spur gear. As will be evident, swinging movement of the handle member or lever I 51 will effect rotation of the spur gear I1I, which in turn effects sliding movement of the sleeve gear member I65 to shift the latter up or down in accordance with the directionof movement of the lever I51. The gear member I65 may thus be shifted to engage either the upper beveled gear- I66 or the lower beveled gear I61 with the teeth of the gear I60, or to bring the gear member I65 to the neutral position shown in Fig. 17, where both beveled gears are disengaged from the gear I60, thereby disconnecting the driving means fro the wringer rolls. Inasmuch as the beveled gears I66 and I61 respectively engage with the teeth at opposite sides of the gear I 60, they eflect rotation in respectively reverse directions of the gear I60 and the roll 59. As will be obvious, when both beveled gears I66 and I61 are disengaged from the gear I 60, rotation of the roll 59 together with the roll 58 will be stopped.

Spring-pressedlatch means is provided to hold the gear member I65 in its three positions of adjustment, that is, the raised position when the gear I 66 is engaged with the gear I 60, the lowered position when the gear I61 is engaged with the gear I 60, and the central or neutral position when both gears are disengaged. This latch means comprises a spring-pressed plunger I15 cooperating with the spur gear IN. The plunger I15 is slidingly'mounted in a pocket I16 in the housing C adjacent to the shaft I12 of the lever I51, and is urged toward the spur gear IN by a spring I11 seated in the pocket I16. The spur gear I1I, as most clearly shown in Figs. 18, 19, and 26, is provided with three spaced seats I18, I19, and I80, within which the rounded end of the plunger I 15 is adapted to engage. With the plunger I15 engaged in the central seat I19, the gear member I65 is held in the neutral 'position, as shown in Figs. 19; 22, and 23; with the plunger engaged in the'upper seat I18, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20, the gear I 65 is held in the position shown in Fig. so that the beveled gear I66 engages the teeth of the gear I60 atthe upper side of the latter; and with the plunger engaged in the lower seat Fig. 21, the gear I 65 is held in the position shown in said last named figure and the beveled gear I61 is engaged with the teeth at the lower side is enlarged, as shown inv that engaged by the plunger cal plane when the 7 of the gear I60.- The spur gear'i 1I also meshes with the gear teeth onthe arm I54 of the sleeve I53, as shown in Figs. 18 to 23 inclusive, to oscillate he latter for a purpose hereinafter pointed out.

On theside of the spurgear "I opposite to I15, an arc-shaped flange I8I concentric with the axis of rotation of the gear is provided, having substantially flat end faces I82-I82, which are in transverse ali nment. These fiat faces act as abutments or stops, which cooperate with a spring-pressed slide I83 for moving the operating handle lever I51 and the gear member I65 to hereinbefore pointed out. The I82-I82 are disposed so that they lie in a vertioperating handle or lever I51 is in said neutral position, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. In thisconnection, it is pointed out that the operation of restoring the gear member I65 and the operating lever I51 to neutral position by means of the slide I83, of'the wrlnger rolls 58 and ,59, is automatically performed whenever the swinging frame B is moved to either side of the centered position. The slide I83 is mounted for horizontal sliding movement in a guideway I84 provided in the casting I10, the guideway being closed by a cover plate I85. As shown most' clearly in Figs. 18, 19, and 25-, the end of the slide I83, which cooperates with the spur gear "I, is. offset with. respect to v the main body portion of said slide and has a pair of outstanding I80, as shown in spaced fingers I86-I88 adapted to engage with the flat abutment faces l82-I82 on the spur gear I1I. At the opposite end, the slide I83 has-a right-angular section I81 terminating in an outturned angular lip I88. At the ,bend between said section I81 and the lip I88, aQbeveled or inclined face I89 is provided for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. A pair of coil springs I 90I90 are interposed between the section I81 of the slide I83 and the opposed wall of the housing C. These springs serve to force the slide I83 toward the spur gear IN. A swinging latch plate I9I cooperates with the slide I 83 to lock it in the position shown in Fig. 18. As shown most clearly in Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 24, the body of the plate I9I is provided with a pair of openings I 92-492, which engage over reduced end portions of a pair of bosses I 93I93 on the outer end wall of the housing C, to anchor said plate for rocking movement. The plate I! is held in position on'the bosses I93I93 by an outstanding rib I94 on the casting I10, as shown most clearly in Figs. 18 and 19. The plate I9I is further provided with an upper, relatively short arm I95 and a lower, longer arm I96, which arms are inclined with respect to the portion of the plate which is rockingly supported on the bosses I93-I93. The long arm'l96 has a right-angular portion I91 near the outer end thereof forming a shoulder adapted to engage the beveled 'face I89 '01 the slide 183., Outwardly of the shoulder of the arm I96 is provided a lip I98, which bears on a springJ99' which yieldingly forces the plate I9I toward the corresponding side of the slide neutral position, as abutment faces thereby stopping rotation the latter will be forced 

